Ford Dealer Lets Buyer Tow 3,000-Pound Boat with Two 2026 Mavericks: Hybrid and EcoBoost Feel Similar

A prospective Ford Maverick buyer convinced a dealer to let him test two 2026 pickups with his own boat before choosing an engine. He drove each one along the same 15-mile route to a lake, including a short interstate stretch, winding roads, hills, and a steep launch ramp. The hybrid and EcoBoost felt so similar to him that he could not pick a winner. The buyer reported that both trucks could handle his route, which fits the published ratings. However, the test did not establish that they will have equal reliability or fuel consumption over time. The buyer’s decision to stop midway down the incline and leave each truck in Park should not be treated as a recommended parking procedure. Ford’s general towing guidance advises avoiding grade parking when possible and, where necessary, using the service brakes, parking brake and trailer wheel chocks. The test also said little about repeated towing in hot weather, long highway climbs or long-term transmission wear. The buyer recognized that limitation when he returned to the forum asking about maintenance rather than claiming to have settled the engine debate.